Switch mechanism



Feb. 6, 1940. w. 1. BALLENTINE SWITCH MECHANISM n/lfia iizntube Filed July 17, 1937 Patented Feb. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IClaim.

The present invention relates to a switch mechanism adapted for use on automobiles and other power propelled vehicles and more particularly to a novel switch mechanism so constructed and arranged as to operate from the throttle or accelerator lever or linkage of the vehicle.

Switching mechanisms now generally employed for initiating or flashing a signal at the rear of the vehicle to apprise the vehicle following of the operator's intention to slow down or stop are operated by pressure on the brake pedal. This requires the operator to remove his foot from the foot throttle and apply it to the brake. Due to the high speed at which automobiles and other power propelled vehicles are being operated, the element of time necessary to apply the brake and flash the signal is of extreme importance so as to signal the car following at the earliest instant of the intention of slowing down or stopping. The signalling is accomplished in my novel construct and arrangement the instant the decelei s.

It is, the re, object of "the present invention to p ovide a "novel and mechanism to immediately signal to car following the fact that the preceding car is siowing down or do celeratirig. This accomplished in the novel switch construction immediately upon a slight rearward or accelerating movement of the throttle iever,

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel switching mechanism for operating a warning signal, which mechanism is automatically actuated by a slight rearward or decelerating movement of the throttle. Thus the human element, insofar as actuating or initiating a signal, is entirely eliminated.

A still further object is to provide a novel switching mechanism operating on the fulcrum pin and its carrying bracket and actuated by the foot pedal.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efllciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while I have shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing: Fig. l is a view in perspective of the novel :construction and arrangement. 6

Fig. 2 is a View in vertical cross section through the novel switch mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical cross section through the switch taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, and showing the position of the contacts and parts 10 when the throttle is depressed and the switch is open.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, but showing the switch closed upon a rearward movement of the throttle. E55

Fig. 5 is a disassembled view in perspective of the contacts.

Fig. 6 is a, view in vertical cross section of an alternate form of switch.

The novel construction comprises a device 20 adapted to be associated with the throttle or accelerator lever or linkage of an automobile or other power propelled vehicle, such as trucks, throttle controlled trains, trolley cars, etc, through the throttle for operating a signal 2:; light 52 mounted at some convenient location at the rear of the vehicle or the like. This device is preferably built in or assembled at the factory, although it is to be understood that it may be provided as an attachment which may be reedas ily mounted in a position to be operated by throttle control mechanism oi car.

The switch comprises a sleeve 3 carried upon a pin i which may be the usual fulcrum pin for the accelerator lever or a pin or stub shaft sub- 35 stituted therefor and secured by a lock washer 5 and nut 6 upon a bracket 7 fixed to and supported in any suitable way from the underside of the foot board or floor or other convenient location on the vehicle. Upon the stud 4 is mounted a spring washer 8 seating against a washer 9 abutting the sleeve and a washer l0 positioned intermediate the bracket 1 and collar H rotatable on the sleeve. This collar is retained against longitudinal or endwise move- 5 ment by means of the washer l0 and enlargement or flange l2 on the sleeve.

The sleeve 3 and collar H are provided with binder posts l3 and M, respectively, having threaded connections I5 and I6 adapted to re- 50 ceive leads I! and it for energizing the signal lamp 2 or initiate any other desirable signalling means through the ignition switch l9 and battery 20. The collar II is further provided with a le ver 2| adapted to be moved by a slidable pin or ll rod 22 actuated by the foot throttle I. This pin or red 22 is connected to the accelerating or throttle lever of the carburetor by means of a system of links or levers 23 and rod 24, although it is to be understood that the switch may be actuated in any suitable or convenient manner from the accelerator mechanism. a

The sleeve and collar forming the switch members are preferably constructed of Bakelite, fibre or other non-conducting material in which are cast the operating lever 2| and binder posts l3 and I4. As clearly disclosed, these members are notched and/or grooved as at 25 and 25 to prevent their coming out and rotating relative to the switch members in which they are mounted, after they have been cast, moulded or embedded in the switch members. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the binder post I! is securely mounted in the sleeve 3 and extends into a recess 26 in the collar H of greater diameter than the post. This post is reduced as at 21 with the end 28 forming the switch contact adapted to engage the concaved contact portion 29 of the binder post [4. The purpose of reducing the binder post l3 adjacent its end is to insure electrical contact between the binder posts when the switch contacts are moved into the position shown in Fig. 4. In the disclosed embodiment, these posts are positioned at right angles to each other.

In the operation of the device, pressure applied to advance the throttle to accelerate the engine forces the pin 22 downwardly and rotates the lever 2| in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3. This, in turn, rotates the collar H into the position shown in Fig. 3 in which the switch contacts on the binder posts l3 and H are separated and the circuit to the signalling means is maintained open. When the foot throttle is permitted to move backwardly or towards its position of rest, the collar rotates in a counter-clockwise direction and the contacts on the binder posts engage and close the circuit to the signal light or other signalling means and the collar and sleeve rotate together. The spring washer 8 holds the sleeve 3 against rotation except by the movement of the collar ll.

In Fig. 6 is shown an alternate form oi switch mechanism in which the accelerating lever 30 is pivotally mounted on a fulcrum pin or the like 3| carried by the bracket 32. In this construction, the collar 33 is connected to the lever 30 by means of a pin 34 and rotated thereby. Spring washers 35 are adapted to put a drag on the sleeve 88 to prevent its rotation except upon its movement by the collar 33. In other respects, the switch construction is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

It will be apparent Irom the above description that the novel invention comprises switch mechanism associated with the throttle or accelerator whereby in any position 0! this throttle from rest or stop position to a position for maximum speed, the signal light will be actuated or flashed by a slight upward or backward movement oi the throttle. As shown in Fig. 1, the switch mechanism is preferably associated or in series with the ignition switch It so that the circuit remains open at all times when the engine is stopped.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

In a switch mechanism for operating a warning signal on a self-propelled vehicle having an accelerating lever, a pin upon which the switch is mounted for rotation, a sleeve of non-conducting material rotatably mounted on the pin and having an enlargement, a switch terminal carried in the enlargement, a collar of non-conducting material rotatable upon the sleeve and havi an end abutting the enlargement on the sleeve, a switch terminal carried by the collar, a recess formed in the material of the collar for receiving the end of the terminal carried by the sleeve, and of a size to permit the terminals to be moved into and out of contact, an arm associated with the accelerating lever and actuated thereby for rotating the collar to move the switch terminals into and out of contacting engagement to close and open the circuit to the signal and a spring washer between the sleeve and collar for yieldably maintaining them in each position.

WILLIAM I. BALLEN'I'INE. 

